’Usual suspects’ at foot of mountain

AFTER 11 matches, the English Premier League table is beginning to take shape, and although it remains a little early for panic stations, there is a hint of familiarity about the sides already battling for top-flight survival.

Between them, the bottom seven of Crystal Palace, Burnley, Southampton, Newcastle United, Cardiff City, Fulham and Huddersfield Town have combined for just eight wins from 75 matches.

They have claimed just 42 points between them and their combined goal difference reads -90 — that compares unfavourably with last season where the bottom seven already had 64 points and a superior goal difference of -69 after 11 games.

While 27 games remain for most of the teams, none of the seven will be close to comfortable with their start.

“Results will come,” Roy Hodgson, whose Crystal Palace side sits 14th, said after his side were beaten 3-1 by Chelsea on Sunday.

“You have to keep going. I am convinced that the way we play, the players we have, and the determination we show, things will start to turn around.”

After 10 games, Newcastle United was one of two sides — with cellar dweller Huddersfield Town — without a win, but a nervy 1-0 victory against Watford on Saturday saw it climb out of the relegation places.

“After 10 games [without a win], that was important for us,” manager Rafa Benitez told the BBC.

“Getting out of the bottom three is a big psychological boost. If you are in a better position in the table, you get more confidence. But we are really focused on doing our job.”

Cardiff City was many people’s tip for an instant return to the Championship — and although manager Neil Warnock has been happy with his side’s effort, passion and commitment — it already looks like a long season ahead.

“It comes down to fine margins, and you need one or two things to go your way,” he said. “But nothing has been dropping for us yet though.”